praeludium

Praeludium, plural praeludia, is the term used in Latin and in several European languages (German Präludium, French prélude, English prelude) for a piece of music that precedes and introduces a larger work, or serves as an opening movement within a suite or a liturgical service. The etymology is from Latin prae- “before” and ludere “to play,” thus literally “something to be played before.” In practice praeludia are typically shorter, mood-setting or transitional pieces that establish tempo, key, or character.

Historically, praeludia appear in medieval and Renaissance contexts as introductory pieces, and in the Baroque era the term became common for keyboard and organ works intended as preludes to fugues, dances, or sacred texts. In keyboard literature, they range from freely structured, improvisatory-sounding pieces to compact, formally cohesive miniatures. While the term denotes function rather than a fixed form, many Präludien and préludes are now performed as standalone pieces in concert.

Notable traditions include Baroque organ and keyboard praeludia, with Bach’s preludes to the Well-Tempered Clavier being especially influential. In later periods, the term appears in Romantic and modern repertoires as well, with composers such as Debussy using Préludes as a cycle of character pieces. Across eras, the praeludium remains a flexible category in music history, linking openings with the works they introduce.